Disk bit



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F. W. MILD DISK BIT March 4f, 930

Filed Dec. l5, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet l fr? TTOJQNFK March 4, wm. F. W. HELD umg-3344s DISK BIT Filed Deo. l5, 1926 4 Sheets-Shes?l 2 March 4, 1930. F, w, H|| D 1,749,344

DISK BIT Filed Deo. l5, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 5 March 4; 1930 DISK BIT Filed Deo'. 15,Y 192e 4 Sheets-sheet l4 ffy im@ om y@ 7 fwp f Patented Mar. 4,. 1930 PATENT OFFICE FREDERIC HILD, F- LOS ANGIEIIJIES, CALIFORNI l M .A'pplication led December 15, 1926. Serial No. 154,887.

This invention relatesto the rotary system of drill-ingwells and particularly tol diskthe d isk cutters are attached to a. body. O ne of the features of the disk bit isthat it has -r/'extensivecutting edges and will therefore outwea'r'f't'he ordinary fish-tail bit This is true if the disks rotate so that the\entire cutting edges of the disks are employed. In order for the disks to rotate it isnecessary that they be placed a distance away from the axis of rotation so that the, force applied thereto while cuttingwill cause them to rotate? If the disks are thus arranged a space is provided between them andthe central part of the bottom of the hole is not cut away. This causes a core to form which extends up, engaging the lower end of the body of the bit, thus impeding drilling or detlecting the `bitto one side,.which resultsin t-he drilling of a crooked hole. fthe disks are placed near the axis of rotation, the 'core will. be prevented from forming butv the disksvwill not rotate. It is ordinary practice to compromise the positions of the disks, placing vthem between the two extreme positions so that there will be but a small core formed'and a slight amount of rotation.

It is an object-of this invention to provide adisk bit having a disk near the axis of rotation whicli will rotate. I accomplish this 40 object of the invention by providing a bit having outer and inner disks which are connected together. The outer disk which is 'rotated by the action on the bottom and walls of the hole causes the inner disk to rotate.YV

'It is accordingly one of the objects of this invention to provide a disk bit in which an outer boring and reaming disk cutter rotates an inner bot-toming disk cutter near the axis of rotation.

Theordinary formrof disk bit cannot be Y made in small sizes because the parts ca n not be made strong enough to endure the enormous strains'placed upon them While in the well. One Weaknessof the ordinary disk bit results from the'placing of the disks on separate supporting pins. In my invention I provide what I call spool -cutters which consist of integral shafts and cutters. It is possible to niake disk bits. according to my invention much smaller than can be done with the ordinary bit.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide .a disk bit which is very rugged, even in smallersizes of bits.

vIn order to properly support the spool. cutterof my invention so that it may rotate, it ,is necessary to provide a split support having v'a portion on each member of the support4 which extends partly around the hubof the spool cutter, the t-wo portions cooperating 'to provide a bearing. The support members are in. turn secured together by a body.`

It is an obect of this invention to provide a novel form of disk bit having spool cutters which may be conveniently assembled. l'

It is an object of the invention to providea disk bit having split support members which are held togetherin a novel manner.

' It. is a still further object of the invention to provide a disk bit having extensible cutters.

.Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings in which I illusf trate the invention,

Fig. 1 is a'diagrammatic view illustrating the utility of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a form of the invention. i

-Fig 3 is a ,section taken on the line 3 3 Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 Ot Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the linef5--5- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the lower end of Fig. 2 takenvat right angles to Fig. 2.

F ig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 lof e.y Y

F 1g. 8`is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

` illustrating the principle of operation of the Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8 showing I the cutters in retracted posit-ions.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the spool cutter of the invention.

Fig. l1 is an enlarged view similar to Fig.

1.0 showing an alternative form of spool cut-v ter.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the member of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of asupport member of the invention.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views bushing spool cutters.

F 1g. l7 is a vertical section through another form of the invention.

Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line 1-84-18 of Fig. 17.'

Fig. 19 is a sectlon'taken on the line 19--19 of Fig. 17.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Fig. 1, 25 is a partly drilled the drill pipe. :The Hoor of the derrick supports a rotaryf'machine 31 by means of which the drill pipeis rotated. )Rotary mud is supplied under pressure to the bit 26 bymeans of a high pressure pump 33which is connected to the' 'swivel head 30 by means of a stand pipe 34l and a liexible hose 35. The mud is forced downward through the drill pipe 27 to the bit 2 6. The purpose of the rotary mud is to carry the cuttings ofthe bit to the surface of the ground and to prevent caveins. The details of the bit 26.1areshown in Figs'. 2 to 13 inclusive.

The bit 26 has a body 36 which is provided with threads 37 at the upper end thereof, by means of which it may be attached to a collar 39 (Fig. l) of the drill pipe 27. The lower part of the body 36 is providedwith a cylindrical socket 40 which is open at the lower end of t-he body. Extended into the socket 40 is an insert 41 of acuttcr support` 42. The

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cutter support 42 "is provided in two parts, consisting of two cutter support members 43 such as shown in perspective in Fig. 13. The insert 41 which rests in the socket 40 .is

. composed of a pair of semi-inserts 44.

` means of a retainer 45. Theretainer 45 has The insert is retained in the socket 4() by a lower head 46 which rests in a cavity 47 formed in the cutter support members. The cavity 47 is connected to the upper end of `the Ainsert 41 by means of an opening 48 through which a neck 49 of the retainer 45 extends,

lthreaded portion 50 of the retainer 45 'is screwed into a socket 51 of the body 36, and

a tubular body 53 of the retainer 45 extends upward through a central opening 54 of the body 3 6, terminating slightly below the upper end thereof. The retainer 45 holds a shoulder 55 of the cutter support 42 in engagement with a lower face 56 of the body. The cutter support 42 is prevented from rotatino relative to the body 36 by means of lock lugs 5F formed on each of the cutter support members 43, which lock lugs 57 rest in recesses 58 provided at the llower end of the body 36. The retainer 45 is screwed into the position shown .in the drawings so that the cutter support 42 sov is retained inthe position shown by means of j a key (not shown) which lits into slots 59 formed inthe upper end of the tubular portion 53. After the retainer 45 has been screwedinto the position shown, it is retained in this position by means of a lock member 61.

The lock member l'consists of a body 62 whichis eXtendedinto the upper end of the opening 54. The lock member 61 is restrained from rotation by means of splines 63 which extend into vertical grooves 64 formed in the y upper end of the body 36 and connect to the vupper end ofthe opening 54. The lower end of the lock member 6,1* is provided with tongues 66 which connect to the lower end of the body 62, these tongues 66 extending into the slotsl 59.

The cutter support 42' has a collar portion 68 formed below the insert 41. Extended downward from the collar portion 68 are spaced legs 69. A part 70 of each leg 69 is formed on each cutter support member 43. Supported by the legs 69 are spool cutters 73 which are shown clearly in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

Vio5.

Hubsor bearings 74`oflthe` spool cutters 73 extend through bearing` openings 75 provided by the le s 69. The bearingopenings 75 are formed y cooperationof two semibearing openings 76 formedin cooperating parts 70 of theilegs 69. Formed integrally at each end of the hubs 7 3, are inner bottom.- ing disk cutters 77 and outer boring and vream'ing disk cutters 78. Surrounding the hubs or bearings 73 are wear plates 79 which are adapted to protect the bearing openings 75 from being worn to a larger size. The wear plates 79 are composed of sections`80 (Fig. 12) having semi-cylindrical portions 81 and radial flange portions 82. The semi- .cylindrical portions 81 project through the bearing openings 75 and the ange portions 82 rest between the inner. faces of the legs 69 and outer faces of the inner cutters 77.

As is evident from the drawings the spool cuttersy 73 must be placed in the position shown in thedrawings at the time the cutter support members are assembled. Referring to Fig, 8, the spool'cutters 73 are o'set equal distances on oppositesides of a center line the art.

Rotary mud is supplied to the disks of the bit through the drill pipe 27. The rotary mud passes through an opening 85 in the lock member 61 and through an opening 86 formed through the retainer 45. As shown best in Figs. 2 and 13, the cutter support 42 is provided with a main rotary mud .passage 88 which connects to the bottom of t .e collar 68. Joined to the main passage 884 are branch passages 89 which are extended diagonally outward, opening to the bottom of the collar 68 at the outside of the legs69. 'It desired, the passages 88 and 89 may be lined with tubes 90 and'91 for preventing a leakage of rotary mud between contacting fiat faces 93 of the cutter support members 43.

In assembling the bit just described, the sections of the wear plates 79 are placed in thesemi-bearing opening 76. It the tubes and 91 are used, they may at this time be placed in the semipassages 88 and 89 of this .cutter supporting memberv 43. The head 46- and neck 49 of the retainer 45 are then placed in the semi-cavity 47 and the semi-opening 48. After this assembly, the other cutter support member 43 is placedagainst this iirst cutter support member 43 in its proper position as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The parts are held in this position and the insert 41 provided by the cooperation of the insert portions 44 is extended into the cavity 40 of the body 36. The upper end of 'the threaded portion 50 engages. the threaded socket 51 of the body 36. The key .(not shown) is then inserted into the upper end of the opening 54 ofthe body 36 so that the retainer 45 may be rotated. The retainer is screwed into the position shown and the cutter support 42 is drawnupward in the socket 40 until the lock-lugs 57 rest in the recesses 58 and an annular shoulder 55 engages .the lower face 56 of the body 36. The lock member 61- is then placed, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, so that the retainer cannot unscrew. This completes the assembly ofthebit.

The operation of the bit is substantially as follows.

The drill pipe 27 is rotated by the rotary table 31 and rotation is thus imparted to the bit. The inner cutters 77 engage the bottom of the well and the outer cutters 78 bore and ream the walls of the well and, as pointed out in the preamble, if the disks are placed near the axis of rotation they ordinarily will not rotate. This may be readily explained by Areference to Fig. 16. In Fig. 16 which is extremely diagrammatic, the line B-B represents an axis of rotation. 98 is 'a vdisk cutter which is placed on the axis of rotation B-B. /Vhen the disk cutter is rotated in a direc- They will therefore last no tionindicated by the `arrow 99 of Fig. 16, a force is exerted against the right edge thereot as indicatedby the arrow 100. There is no force tending Ato rotate the 'disk 98 by reason of th'efact that it is on the axis of rotation B-B Dotted lines 102 represent a disk which is removed from the axis of rotation B--B and is moved around it on a radius represented at Vhen the disk represented by dotted lines 102 is moved around the axis of rotation as indicatedby the arrow 99., there will be a force against the Iright edge, as vindicated by the arrow 103, this force being similar to the force against the disk 98 as indicated by the arrow 100. There will also be a 'force against the lower right-hand portion ofthe disk 102 in a direction indicated by the arrow 104.l The force having the direction of the arrow 104 tends to rotate and in actual practice will rotate the disk 102 on its own axis of rotation, which is indicated bv the line D-D. F ig. 16 clearly illustrates to be formed. The formation of a core will y interfere with the proper operationof the bit. Dotted lines 106 in Figi 15 represent disks placed close together so that no core will be formed, but when the disks are in -this`position they will not rotate .on their o'wn axes and therefore only practically a quarter ot their cutting edges will be utilized. longer than 'an ordinary disk bit. f

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the disks ot my invention. The outer disks 78 trave-l along a circumferential path 109 and the inner disks 77 travel along a circumerential path 110'. .The rotating tendency of the .outer disks 78 is considerable because they are placed quite a distance from the axis of rotation E in Fig. 14; therefore, as theebit is rotated tie outer disks 78 will rotate on their own axes as well as travel along the path 109. 'The inner disks 77 are attached to the outer disks 78, being integral therewith;

therefore, the rotating tendency of the outer disks 7 8 causes the inner disks 77 to rotate.

The inherent tendency of the inner disks 77,y

to rotate by their engagement with the bottom of the hole is practically nil and there is a force exerted against 'the working part of the cutting edges such as the one indicated by 'I .I

the arrow 100 in Fig. 16 which works against the rotation of the inner cutter.

cutter spools73. The cutter spools rotate This force will therefore slow down the rotation of the by the inner cutter 77 but slower than they would rotate if they were rotated by the outer cutter 78 without the resistance of the inner eutlter 77. The operation of bothof the spool cutters is the same.

tage ofrotatingl the disks isthat a slicing' action is effect-ed, this being quite an advantage over the ordinary fish-tail bits and disk bits in which the disks do not rota-te, but have merely a scraping action.

Referring to Fig. 9 in particular, it will be seen that the length of the hubs ,or bearings 73 is greater than the width of the legs 69, there being a space 112. The cutter spools are therefore free to movealong their own axes from positions shown by dotted lines'113 of Fig. 9 or by Jfull lines in Fig. 8 into positions shown by full lines in Fig. 9. This constitutes the extendible feature of the bit. Then the bit is lowered into the well,

,generally througha casing, the spool cutters 73 are placed inretracted positions as shown in full lines in Fig. 9. lVhen they reach the bottom of the well and the bit is rotated, the engagement of the inner and outer disks 7 7 and 7 8 causes the spools 73 to move into proper operating position as shown by dotted lines' 113 in Fig. 9and as fshown vby full lines in Fig. 8.

ln Fig. 11 l show an alternative' form lof spool cutter. Referring to this figure, the spool cutter consists of an inner bottoming member 116 anda boring and reaming member 117. The inner member 116 consists of a disk 118 and a threaded pin 119. The'outer member 117 consists of aldisk 120 and a' hub 121 having a threaded opening 122 formed therethrough into which the threaded pin 119 is screwed. A lock Washer 124 is placed between the end of the hub 121 and a shoulder 125 provided by the inner member 116. As

f the parts are screwed together, as shown in 'Fig 11, they may be welded as indicated at 126. l desire however to make .the spool cutters integral, since an integral structure is much stronger. In larger. sizes of disk bits they may be made in two parts, as shown in Fig. 11, but in smaller disk bits Where great strength must be had it cannot be had Vif the parts are not made integral. I prefer to make the spool cutters in the lform shown fin Fig. 10.

Another formv of the invention which is shown in Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive, consists of a, .c utter support 130 which is formed from cutter support members 131 which are'equivaly assembled, engage each other. The cutter support provides an insert 133 in the form of a threaded pin which is screwed into a socket 134-Which -is provided with complementary threads. The socket 134 is formed in a body 135. The body 135 is provided with threads 137 by means of which it may be attached to a collar 13S-secured to the lower end of a drill pipe. l

Formed below he insert 133 is a collar 140 having an upperannular shoulder 141 Which engages a lower Uface 142 of the body 135. The circumferenceof the collar 140 is provided with flutes 143 so that a wrench used The cutter spools have inner cutters 153 and outer cutters 154. Formed through the cuttersupport 13() at the engaging faces 132 of thegcutter support members 131 is a main rotary mud passage 156. Connected to the mainffrotary mud passage 156 are primary branch passages 157 which connect to the lower end of the collar 140 at the outside of the legs 145. Connected to the branch passages 157`are secondary branch passages 15s which connect to the lower end of the collar 140 inside the legs 145. The passages may be lined with suitable tubing indicated by the numeral 159. The parts of this form of the linvention are assembled in substantially the same manner as in the first form of the invention. rllhe insert 133 is attached in the socket 134L not by a separate retainer but b)- the engagement of the th-reads' formed on the two parts. The body and cutter support are rotated relative to eachother so that the insert is screwed into the socket 134. ln this form of the invention l provide a bolt 160, shown in Figs. 17 and 19, for holding the cutter support members 131 together while the cutter support is being attached to the body Thebolt 160 has a head 161 which rests in a socket 162 formed in one of the cutter support members 131, a shaft 163 extended through openings 164 formed in the cutter support members 131, and a nut 1 65 which rests in a cavity 166 vformed in one of the cutter support members l131. This bolt 160 may be left in the position shown in Fig. 19 when .the bit is in use, or it may be removed therefrom after the cutter support members and the body have been secured together. The operation of this form of the invention of the invention.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention accomplishes numerous very important results. First, my in- 'vention provides a disk bit having inner disks located near the axis ot rotation which are caused -to rotate. This is a highly important feature since it makes it possible to provide the disks 77 in such a position as to prevent Athe formation of ya core, which disks Will rotate so that their entire cutting edges Will be utilized. By making spool cutters, las shown, integral', maximum strength is obtained which permits a disk bit to be made in a small size. In my invention I have a disk required strength.

y Another feature of the invention. is the exto cooperatively extend around a hub of said `spool cutter; and means for securing said supbit for a sixinch hole, `which size has never been attempted in the ordinary form of disk bit because it was impossible to obtain the The manner of assembling the cutter support members of the in-- vention is important, since it permits an easy assembly of the various parts, and when assembled these parts are rigidlyl attached t0 gether and .cannot possibly become detached.

tendibility ofthe cutter spools which permits the disk bit to drill a hole of larger sizethan the casing through which the bit is passed. s

4I claim as my' invention:

l. A rotary disk bit comprising: a spool cutter; a support for carrying said spool cutter,^said support comprising a pair ot substantially alike support members arranged port members together. I

'2.'A rotary disk bit comprising: a spool cutter; a support for carrying said spool cutter, said support comprising a pair of substantial-ly alike support members arranged to cooperatively extend around a hub o't said spool cutter,.said support having an insert;-

and a body having a socket into which said in-l sert extends for securing said support'menr i bers together.

ter, said support comprising a pair of substantially alike support members arranged to i cooperately extend around a hub of said spool cutter, said support having an insert; a body having asocket into Which said insert extends for securing said support members together;

and means for locking said body and said support from relative rotation. v 5. A disk bit comprising: a cutter;` a sup- -extended position.

port for carrying said cutter, said support consisting of a pair of substantially alike co operating support members providing an insert; a body having a socket into 'Which said insert is extended; and an axial retainer engaging said support members and said body for securing said support and said body together.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5in which said retainer has a head located in a f cavity of said support and is tlireadedly secured to said body.

7. A Vcombination as defined in claim 5 in which said retainer has a head located in a cavity oi said support and is threadedlyse'- cured to said body; and in combination with v means for locking said retainer from relative to saidbody'.

8. A combination as defined in claim l in which said spool cutter may move axially outward `from a retracted position into an rotation 9. In a rotary diskbit, the combination of: a'pair of spool cutters; a support member having legs iii each of'ivhich is a bearing opening, saidmenibc'r being divided into sections, parting surfaces between said sections -passingtlirougli said legs so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to embrace the hubs of said cutters in said openings when said sections areasseinbled; and means tor securing said sections together in assembled relation.

l0. In a rotary disk bit; thecombination of z a pair of spool cutters; a Vsupport memberv havinglegs 4in each of which is a bearing opening, said 'member being divided into sec tions,parting surfaces 'between said sectioi's passing through said legs so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to ein'- brace the hubs of said'cutters in said openings-When said sections are assen'ibled; an insert formed by portions ot each of said sec--` tions; a Abody having a cavity adapted to receive said insert, said support member being thus held in assembly; and a member for retaining said insert in said cavity. A

-11. Iii a rotary disk bit. the combination of: a pair ot spool cutters; a support member having legs in each ot which is a bearing' opening, said member being divided into sections, parting surfaces between said` sections passing through said legs so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to enibrace the hubs of said cutters in said openings when said sections are assembled; an insert formed by portions of each ot' said sections; a body having a cavity adapted 'to receive said insert, said support member being thus held in assembly; a member disposed axially ivitli-4 in said body tor retaining said insert in said cavity; and means for preventing rotation of said support member relative tosaid body.

12. In a rotary disk bit, the combination of: a pair of spool cutters -a support member having legs in each of which is 'a 4bearing opening, said memberbeing divided lnto sections, parting surfaces between said sections passing through said legs' so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to embrace the hubs of said cutters in said openings when said sections are assembled; an insert formed by portions of eachof said sections; a body having a cavity, and a threaded recess connecting with said cavity, said cavity being adapted to receive said insert, said support member being'thus held in assembly;l and a member adapted to be threadedly received in said recess for retaining said insert in said cavity.

13. In a rotary disk bit, the combination of: a pair of spool cutters; a support member having legs in each of which is a bearing opening, said member being divided into sections, parting surfaces between said sections passing through said legs so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to embrace the hubs of said cutters in said openings when saidA sect-ions are assembled; a body having a cavity into which the upper portion of said member is adapted to extend, said sections thereby being retained in assembly; and interlocking means formed upon said body and said supportmember which engage,

when said body and member are moved together axially, 4to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

' 14. In a rotary disk bit, the combination of: a pair of spool cutters; a support member having legs in each of which is a bearing opening, Ysaid member being divided into sections, parting surfaces between said sections passing through said legs so as to intersect said openings, said legs being adapted to embrace the hubs of said cutters in said openings when said sections are assembled; abody having a cavity into which the upper portion of-said member is adapted to extend, said sections therebyv'being retained-in assembly; interlocking means formed upon said body and said support member which engage, when said body and member are moved together axially, to prevent relative rotation therebetween; and a retaining member interlocking with said support-member and extending axially into said body to secure said support member and said b ody together.

15. A combination as in claim 12 in which a key for loc-king said. retaining member against rotation is held in place between said body and a drill pipe joint to which it is at- 16. A combination as in claim 14 in which a key for locking said retaining member against rotation is held in place between said body and a drill pipe joint to which it is attached. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 10th day of December, 1926.

. FREDERIC W. HILD. 

